38 ‘gifts’ for council leader (From York Press)

Sadly proof (not that it was ever in doubt) that Councillor Alexander is merely lording it up and out for everything he can get from York as he tries to climb the greasy pole to Westminster.

An honest declaration. Well done James!

Popularity is rising for labour and come next May, The popular leader will be re elected with a bigger majority.

Great news!

No cost to the council.

Honest disclosure.

Total cost not huge in the scheme of things so nothing to get worked up about. Part of the job.

Its not a big issue
let him try to sort out York and stop tinkering around with things that are unimportant

Micklegate wrote:
Sadly proof (not that it was ever in doubt) that Councillor Alexander is merely lording it up and out for everything he can get from York as he tries to climb the greasy pole to Westminster.

Alexander in Westminster ! You must be joking. We know Labour ruined the economy but even Labour wouldn't want someone who can't mange his own bank account.
Time for Alexander to do something for the council tax payers instead of wining and dining.

meme wrote:
Its not a big issue let him try to sort out York and stop tinkering around with things that are unimportant

'sort out York'

You mean bigger things like:
1. Tryng to sell the city's main tourist car park
2. Closing the 2nd biggest recycling centre
3. Being one of less than 10% of councils to hike tax
4. Wasting £1 million on a failed local plan
5. Employing a temporary director on £4k a week
6. Raising the level of Trade Union funding to £150k
7. Hiking council borrowing more than any predecessor

His lording it up is not 'unimportant', but it does at least stop him doing damage elsewhere

On the first day of Christmas, JA received from me..........

a summary of York's LTP.

On the second day of Christmas.....

Micklegate wrote:

meme wrote:
Its not a big issue let him try to sort out York and stop tinkering around with things that are unimportant

'sort out York'

You mean bigger things like:
1. Tryng to sell the city's main tourist car park
2. Closing the 2nd biggest recycling centre
3. Being one of less than 10% of councils to hike tax
4. Wasting £1 million on a failed local plan
5. Employing a temporary director on £4k a week
6. Raising the level of Trade Union funding to £150k
7. Hiking council borrowing more than any predecessor

His lording it up is not 'unimportant', but it does at least stop him doing damage elsewhere

Exactly Minsterman! Regarding the above not costing anything to the taxpayer. What about the poor Blackpool taxpayer who had to pay for his dinner and accommodation at The Hilton? Do they know they have funded his jollies? I wonder just how many reciprocal arrangements are made with his allies at other left wing Councils?

.................Jam
es Alexander received from Backpool Council a lovely meal and night in a hotel.

(and by way of a happy Christmas coincdence Santa Claus arranged for York's tourism cabint member's son to work for Blackpool council)

Torycouncil: What gives you the impression I'm female? Is it my my reluctance to express bitter views? Is it my font style? Or could it be your deluded need to align anyone who appears content with the council a female labour person? Surely someone masquerading under the name Tory isn't sexist?

It's not just a question of the cost to the taxpayer, there are much wider, and more important issues pertaining to integrity and independence.

Mr Alexander attended York races as a guest of William Derby. Can Mr Alexander undertake to remain objective and unbiased in relation to any Council decision affecting the raceourse? Let's hope he doesn't feel obliged to return a favour.

The Headline:
'38 ‘gifts’ for City of York Council leader James Alexander'

I very nearly misread it it as that someone had given City of York Council Leader James Alexander the gift from a 38!

Shame I temporarily misread it.
York not quite part of the USA yet...

"...On many occasions, I have paid my own travel and other costs in fulfilling these duties..."
So presumably, on other occasions, JA put in a claim for expenses.
If I was being invited to a day's racing or a meal at Middlethorpe Hall, I'd be quite happy to pay my own bus fare.

Hoofarted wrote:
Torycouncil: What gives you the impression I'm female? Is it my my reluctance to express bitter views? Is it my font style? Or could it be your deluded need to align anyone who appears content with the council a female labour person? Surely someone masquerading under the name Tory isn't sexist?

Its your user name that gives it away. Invariably it is always the female of the species that asks "who has broken wind".
Males respond by looking pointly at the dog.

The point about JAs lively social life is that in this world you don't get something for nothing.

Like his predecessors, if he was on a "fact finding mission" then he should have guarded his impartiality by paying for hotels, event tickets etc himself. With a salary of £30k he is well able to be able to afford to do so.

Now he is "in hock" to several pressure groups, and some individuals, all of whom have commercial, or other vested, interests.

A very niave mistake I think.

Hoofarted wrote:
An honest declaration. Well done James!

Popularity is rising for labour and come next May, The popular leader will be re elected with a bigger majority.

Great news!

You're delusional. Popular? Do you actually read these comments?

I told you yesterday how I feel as a lifelong labour voter who can no longer support your party in the City of York. I'm sure many other feel the same.

However, given that you think that there will be elections next May, when they are actually not due till 2015, shows that you are probably just a troll.

Its beginning to look like The Press are pursuing a witch hunt against James Alexander.
Why is this story relevant? York taxpayers have not had to pay for anything and all the hospitality has been openly recorded just as it should be.
Unless some decision is taken later down the road that obviously benefits the people who gave him the hospitality then I can't see what the story is?

I went over to the council website to have a look at his register and to be honest I think most of them are understandable as Council Leader. He has a duty to attend certain functions/events in order to represent York and the Council.

However I don't understand what particular benefit York would get from him attending the Leeds Music Festival recently? It says 'tickets' (without saying how many) at '£85 each' from 'Festival Republic' and that a donation was given to charity? What charity? How much? I thought such 'gifts' and 'hospitality' for members of the council were when they are on official business?

At least his expenses are listed in a consistent manner with amounts. Unlike the chaos on Cllr. Crisp's page (missing amounts, double entries and different amounts to Cllr. Alexander despite them attending the same event).

Actually if you look on the Council web site there are a lot of unanswered questions. Not just the Leeds festival tickets or the many Race meetings that he apparently goes to, but what benefit would the City get out of him sitting at a cricket match in Durham?

...& £300 paid for by the private sector arm of Jorvik for dinner tickets????

Why are some of the entries so obviously backdated while some - Ebor Race tickets - have been entered several weeks before the event was scheduled to take place?

The City needs some re-assurance for the people responsible for standards in public life.

Clearly JA deserves some credit for announcing over the weekend that he was referring his activities to the Standards committee.

Newton1 wrote:
Its beginning to look like The Press are pursuing a witch hunt against James Alexander. Why is this story relevant? York taxpayers have not had to pay for anything and all the hospitality has been openly recorded just as it should be. Unless some decision is taken later down the road that obviously benefits the people who gave him the hospitality then I can't see what the story is?

Finally a reply from James. Can you answer some of the specific points people on here have raised?

Micklegate wrote:
.................Jam

es Alexander received from Backpool Council a lovely meal and night in a hotel.

(and by way of a happy Christmas coincdence Santa Claus arranged for York's tourism cabint member's son to work for Blackpool council)

What about the man who charged the taxpayer for Mandarin lessons the same year he married a Chinese wife, whose job was to oversee the shambolic security preparations for the Olympics, who blamed the Hillsborough disaster on hooliganism, and who had a non-partisan role overseeing the takeover of a broadcaster by a media company with whose owners he was surprisingly chummy, with whose lobbyist he played tennis, and with which the multi-million pound company he still owns shares in said business, who was hauled before an inquiry and called a liar.

Or the man who misled authorities, who claimed more rent than his tenancy agreement was for, claimed rent higher than the market rate, rented from his lover, gave that lover £99,000 to buy the house he then rented back from him, and wrongly claimed for building work, telephone calls and the wrong property, all to the tune of £56,592.

Now thats what I call a coincidence! If James Alexander wants to make a career out of politics he has some big boots to fill!

Micklegate wrote:

Newton1 wrote: Its beginning to look like The Press are pursuing a witch hunt against James Alexander. Why is this story relevant? York taxpayers have not had to pay for anything and all the hospitality has been openly recorded just as it should be. Unless some decision is taken later down the road that obviously benefits the people who gave him the hospitality then I can't see what the story is?

Finally a reply from James. Can you answer some of the specific points people on here have raised?

Can't - I'm not James Alexander.

I don't deny I'm a Labour supporter - but I don't see how that makes what I said any less true / relevant.

James might appreciate a subscription to Weight Watchers ,anyone offering?

Torycouncil2013 wrote:

Hoofarted wrote:
Torycouncil: What gives you the impression I'm female? Is it my my reluctance to express bitter views? Is it my font style? Or could it be your deluded need to align anyone who appears content with the council a female labour person? Surely someone masquerading under the name Tory isn't sexist?

Perhaps its the fact that you remove any comments that point out the truth that you are Red Sonja? Perhaps its because the style and tone and punctuation of your writing matched exactly with your twitter account?

Or perhaps simply because you are Red Sonja and you spend your days inventing pseudonyms on various forums to try and make yourself look more popular

Perhaps you are taking this wayyyyy too serious!

Perhaps political bigotry turns the unbalanced into a psychotic state and thus "thinks" everyone's someone you hate?

Give up the hate and enjoy life. It really is a beautiful world when you look

Torycouncil2013 wrote:

Hoofarted wrote:

Torycouncil2013 wrote:

Hoofarted wrote: Torycouncil: What gives you the impression I'm female? Is it my my reluctance to express bitter views? Is it my font style? Or could it be your deluded need to align anyone who appears content with the council a female labour person? Surely someone masquerading under the name Tory isn't sexist?

Perhaps its the fact that you remove any comments that point out the truth that you are Red Sonja? Perhaps its because the style and tone and punctuation of your writing matched exactly with your twitter account? Or perhaps simply because you are Red Sonja and you spend your days inventing pseudonyms on various forums to try and make yourself look more popular

Perhaps you are taking this wayyyyy too serious! Perhaps political bigotry turns the unbalanced into a psychotic state and thus "thinks" everyone's someone you hate? Give up the hate and enjoy life. It really is a beautiful world when you look

I'll be more than happy when you go bac to posting under your own name again Red

Do you feel able to do likewise, and post under your own name?

Contrary to the chemical and experienced in balance in the minds of a few. This is my only name on here. Would you prefer me to pretend to be someone you think i am? So it appeases your in balance?

Hey Micklegate look who is insinuating someone is the council and posting, I see you are not having a go at him. hmm maybe because he is a Tory, you Tory boys stick together huh.

who are ya wrote:
Hey Micklegate look who is insinuating someone is the council and posting, I see you are not having a go at him. hmm maybe because he is a Tory, you Tory boys stick together huh.

maybe when all the "bad apples" are out of the way we might get a sensible debate rather than petty political point scoring ?

Hmm it seems that this thread has descended into a giant game of Guess Who...

Does anyone have any opinion on the substance of the article? Also what, in your opinion, constitutes acceptable 'gifts' and 'hospitality'?

Maybe some of the posters could read this article and apply?

http://www.yorkpress
.co.uk/news/9910963.
Volunteers_wanted_to
_monitor_councillor_
standards/

who are ya wrote:
Hey Micklegate look who is insinuating someone is the council and posting, I see you are not having a go at him. hmm maybe because he is a Tory, you Tory boys stick together huh.

What makes you think I am a Tory?.......or indeed whoever else you are referring to is a Tory?.........these comments are more about ordinary residents outraged at the way James Alexander and his Labour Party are carrying on........it's a shame their only defenders are the councillors themselves..........
such as Sonja Crisp....sorry hoofarted

James Alexander is another charisma-less Gordon Brown. He's more concerned with networking his own slimy career and this is proof of it.

"This is an important part of my role representing the city" - Sweet lord! What must other citizens think meeting him? The city doesn't need a self-styled maverick demagogue blowing his champagne views in their face.

“In the key areas for York of tourism and flooding, I had a leading role in the region but seemingly on a shoestring.” - This is obviously a future interview question or line from his CV.

“I felt that at a time of austerity, it was important not to put additional pressure on the budget,” - At last I agree with the Weeble ergo make redundant your higher paid ceremonial staff such as Chief Exec & 4K directors and get rid of a 60k limo for a second-hand diesel. Lead from the front by example, not by ignorance.

I may as well be talking to a brick wall and funnily enough, that's what many people feel like after talking to Alexander.

PMSL

ReginaldBiscuit wrote:
James Alexander is another charisma-less Gordon Brown. He's more concerned with networking his own slimy career and this is proof of it. "This is an important part of my role representing the city" - Sweet lord! What must other citizens think meeting him? The city doesn't need a self-styled maverick demagogue blowing his champagne views in their face. “In the key areas for York of tourism and flooding, I had a leading role in the region but seemingly on a shoestring.” - This is obviously a future interview question or line from his CV. “I felt that at a time of austerity, it was important not to put additional pressure on the budget,” - At last I agree with the Weeble ergo make redundant your higher paid ceremonial staff such as Chief Exec & 4K directors and get rid of a 60k limo for a second-hand diesel. Lead from the front by example, not by ignorance. I may as well be talking to a brick wall and funnily enough, that's what many people feel like after talking to Alexander. PMSL

The latter two comments to which you refer were actually made by Andrew Waller.

Looks like a non story to me, well done Mr Laycock!! - slow news day perhaps

Look at it this way, 38 gifts and offers of hospitality in 365 days.
Not a very popular chap to have around is he?

Hoofarted wrote:
An honest declaration. Well done James! Popularity is rising for labour and come next May, The popular leader will be re elected with a bigger majority. Great news!

http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=4IpeCTV1J
eU

Newton1 wrote:
Its beginning to look like The Press are pursuing a witch hunt against James Alexander. Why is this story relevant? York taxpayers have not had to pay for anything and all the hospitality has been openly recorded just as it should be. Unless some decision is taken later down the road that obviously benefits the people who gave him the hospitality then I can't see what the story is?

Because James' poodle - The Press have got the measure of the man concerned - a person who is not averse to a junket under the guise of being of benefit to York taxpayers.

Because the man they are talking about cares more about image than content, more about self-aggrandisement than the good of York. The recent disclosures by disaffected Labour councillors point to what everyone knows - that Cllr Alexander believes that York and the Labour party that he bends to his will are both there for the fulfilment of his own political career.

Hat-stands like you are too blind to see this...

marvell wrote:

Newton1 wrote:
Its beginning to look like The Press are pursuing a witch hunt against James Alexander. Why is this story relevant? York taxpayers have not had to pay for anything and all the hospitality has been openly recorded just as it should be. Unless some decision is taken later down the road that obviously benefits the people who gave him the hospitality then I can't see what the story is?

Because James' poodle - The Press have got the measure of the man concerned - a person who is not averse to a junket under the guise of being of benefit to York taxpayers.

Because the man they are talking about cares more about image than content, more about self-aggrandisement than the good of York. The recent disclosures by disaffected Labour councillors point to what everyone knows - that Cllr Alexander believes that York and the Labour party that he bends to his will are both there for the fulfilment of his own political career.

Hat-stands like you are too blind to see this...

Very valid point and well said

Falsgrave wrote:

ReginaldBiscuit wrote:
James Alexander is another charisma-less Gordon Brown. He's more concerned with networking his own slimy career and this is proof of it. "This is an important part of my role representing the city" - Sweet lord! What must other citizens think meeting him? The city doesn't need a self-styled maverick demagogue blowing his champagne views in their face. “In the key areas for York of tourism and flooding, I had a leading role in the region but seemingly on a shoestring.” - This is obviously a future interview question or line from his CV. “I felt that at a time of austerity, it was important not to put additional pressure on the budget,” - At last I agree with the Weeble ergo make redundant your higher paid ceremonial staff such as Chief Exec & 4K directors and get rid of a 60k limo for a second-hand diesel. Lead from the front by example, not by ignorance. I may as well be talking to a brick wall and funnily enough, that's what many people feel like after talking to Alexander. PMSL

The latter two comments to which you refer were actually made by Andrew Waller.

Yes.

Well, he's certainly enlarged his profile with that "venison feast".

Why accept any 'gift' at all ??..............it is patently obvious that the giver expects something down the line................
...if not, why are they not giving it to any Tom, Dick or Harry ?...If each offer of hospitality was declined on every occasion, the recipient would be beyond reproach.

Alexander is undoubtedly a wally, but if lying to Parliament, fiddling your expenses to the amount of £56,000 isn't a bar to promotion to the cabinet, it is little wonder people have lost confidence in all our politicians.

It might well be scary to think that Alexander has responsibility for York, but it pails into insignificance when one considers the power wielded by Jeremy Hunt and David Laws!

York press have always been tory biased. Over the last 30 years of picking up the paper to peruse the "local" news, I have regularly shook my head at the biased reporting against the labour party. How ironic that the MP for York and the Council for York are both labour.

Seems to me the vast majority of York residents aren't reading the paper or, they can see through the bias.

Hoofarted wrote:
York press have always been tory biased. Over the last 30 years of picking up the paper to peruse the "local" news, I have regularly shook my head at the biased reporting against the labour party. How ironic that the MP for York and the Council for York are both labour.

Seems to me the vast majority of York residents aren't reading the paper or, they can see through the bias.

I haven't been in York as long as you but I feel that your characterisation of the Press as biased against the Labour Party is not true in recent times.

They certainly went after the Lib Dem Council in the final few years of their administration, one of the reasons Labour won by such a large amount in York at a time when national Lib Dem support was pretty high.

The stories in the last few weeks seem to have sprung from a level of incompetence at the top of the party. Lynn Jeffries quitting and then telling her criticisms of how the party is run is a fair story. The comments from certain Cllrs both to the press and on social media were not thought through.

The failure to regularly update expenses whilst claiming transparency for the council also is a fair story. There should be a debate as to what level of accepting hospitality is acceptable (if you check my previous comments I don't have a problem with most of what Cllr Alexander received).

Certainly the Press shamed Cllr Ayre for his dreadful behaviour on the front page.

So i feel your suggestion that the Press is biased is a little unfair. It's not their fault if some members of the current Administration are really making a mess out of some issues at the moment!

I do feel that the media as a whole are more interested in negative stories than anything positive. But then, they only print what the public read...

I wonder how much longer it will take
Cllr Alexander to have all the comment removed on this thread as well as the other two negative stories ?

Very transparent indeed !

M.Lucas wrote:

Hoofarted wrote:
York press have always been tory biased. Over the last 30 years of picking up the paper to peruse the "local" news, I have regularly shook my head at the biased reporting against the labour party. How ironic that the MP for York and the Council for York are both labour.

Seems to me the vast majority of York residents aren't reading the paper or, they can see through the bias.

I haven't been in York as long as you but I feel that your characterisation of the Press as biased against the Labour Party is not true in recent times.

They certainly went after the Lib Dem Council in the final few years of their administration, one of the reasons Labour won by such a large amount in York at a time when national Lib Dem support was pretty high.

The stories in the last few weeks seem to have sprung from a level of incompetence at the top of the party. Lynn Jeffries quitting and then telling her criticisms of how the party is run is a fair story. The comments from certain Cllrs both to the press and on social media were not thought through.

The failure to regularly update expenses whilst claiming transparency for the council also is a fair story. There should be a debate as to what level of accepting hospitality is acceptable (if you check my previous comments I don't have a problem with most of what Cllr Alexander received).

Certainly the Press shamed Cllr Ayre for his dreadful behaviour on the front page.

So i feel your suggestion that the Press is biased is a little unfair. It's not their fault if some members of the current Administration are really making a mess out of some issues at the moment!

I do feel that the media as a whole are more interested in negative stories than anything positive. But then, they only print what the public read...

An excellent, balanced comment.

Council leader James Alexander said: “Labour's strategy is the gradual increase of reserves to ensure, like a well managed family budget or business, that money is set aside for a rainy day.


......and what we he know about that !!!

Im a York woman living in the USA and I read all the comments above.

So much is petty and mean spirited.
Get together and do something, meet with your councillors. Write constructive criticism.'
Nothing is ever perfect, but with some goodwill you might get further in sorting out problems.
Attend meetings too if open to the public.
We get what we deserve and if we dont make efforts ourselves then must rely on those who do take the trouble and effort.

bagnall1928@yahoo.co
m wrote:
Im a York woman living in the USA and I read all the comments above.

So much is petty and mean spirited.
Get together and do something, meet with your councillors. Write constructive criticism.'
Nothing is ever perfect, but with some goodwill you might get further in sorting out problems.
Attend meetings too if open to the public.
We get what we deserve and if we dont make efforts ourselves then must rely on those who do take the trouble and effort.

How quaintly out of touch. If the councillors actually listened to the public it would make things much easier.

Sadly many decisions are taken in private by a small group of Labour insiders and no public consultation is encouraged or sought after.

Ward meetings have been cut to stop further public discourse with their councillors and you wonder why the comments are petty and mean... they reflect the frustration with the current adminstration...

No Ward meetings have been cut. In fact, public consultations have increased under labour York compared to the libdems. If you can remember that far back, the tory councils only consultation exercise was with back handing business's and the "Citizens" of York had no say at all.

Like all little internet forums, York Press one has a tiny group of ranting unhappy tories who use it to steam off.

at least a quarter of a century since the last tory administration in York.......yet after those 25 years you still harp on about how wicked they were.in 25 years you have not changed a thing other than to get your own backhanders off the local tax payer...............
.....Are things really better now.I think not. Most of your so called 'consultation' is a sham. Surveys are designed to tell the egocentric councillors how wonderful they are and enable them to not make decisions. Instead they say 'our survey says'...........Quiz show admin. once again ....pathetic.

Hoofarted wrote:
No Ward meetings have been cut. In fact, public consultations have increased under labour York compared to the libdems. If you can remember that far back, the tory councils only consultation exercise was with back handing business's and the "Citizens" of York had no say at all.

Like all little internet forums, York Press one has a tiny group of ranting unhappy tories who use it to steam off.

theirs also a number of labour councillors who don't post under their real names and have all the comments removed when they are proved wrong in a topic !

remind me again where was the public consultation on Beckfield lane recycling centre ?

Oh that's right there wasn't any because James Alexander said people would of objected !

we are supposed to live in a democracy !

Did the non mandate con dem government consult over the NHS privatisation bill currently going through parliament? No! Was this bill put forward prior to the general election? No! Do they have a mandate to push through this privatisation plan? No!

What was that about some refuge site in the middle of a housing complex again?

I'm sure if the handful of tory whingers had a refuge tip on their door step, they would be raging and blaming the labour party over it.

As i said in the previous post. Only a handful of Tory whingers use this little forum to steam off over well run beautiful York :-)

so Just because the Tory's are awful you think its o.k for Labour to be just as bad ?

Beckfield Lane Recycling centre has been there for more than 30 years
why is it now a problem for it to be in a residential area ?

As i said in the previous post. Only a handful of Tory whingers use this little forum to steam off over well run beautiful York :-)

"well run York LOL "

What is your Affiliation with the labour party ?

Councillor ?

THE ANT and the Grasshopper, Two Versions:

**** OLD VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE OLD STORY: Be responsible for yourself!



**** MODERN VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.

ITN, SKY, CH4, and BBC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.

The country is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appears on Jeremy Kyle with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not EasyBeing Green'. Occupy the Anthill stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the SEIU group singing, We Shall Overcome. Then Rev. Rowan Williams has the group kneel down to pray for the grasshopper's sake, while he damns the ants.

David Cameron and Ed Milliband condemns the ant and blames Maggie Thatcher, John Major, Winston Churchill, Oliver Cromwell, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.

Dianne Abbott & Tony Robinson exclaim in an interview with Jeremy Paxman that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share. Finally the Equalities Commission drafts the Economic Equity & Anti Grasshopper bill retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar and given to the grasshopper. The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his socialist friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it.

The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.

The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackle, once prosperous and peaceful, neighbourhood.

MORAL OF THE NEW STORY: No matter what you do for yourself, we are all F*cked!